Cork Returns!

The work of William Kent Krueger is among my favorites in the mystery genre. He writes of Corcoran (Cork) O'Connor, a former sheriff who lives near the Iron Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota. Cork, part-Native American himself, often finds himself involved in various mysteries and murders, whether he is serving as the official law enforcement presence or not.

In this book entitled "Thunder Bay", Krueger goes back to a more Native-American dominated storyline. Henry Meloux, one of the recurring characters asks Cork, a newly-licensed private investigator, to find his son. Cork is stunned, and he agrees to do so. Meloux is a Midiwiwin, a Native-American tribal spiritual leader and visionary of sorts. He has to be in his late eighties or nineties. His appearances in the previous books only serve to heighten the interest in the story and his background. After Cork finds the reclusive son in Canada followed by an attempt on Meloux's life by the son's bodyguard, fully one-third of the book is narrated by Meloux in an exploration of his past. Krueger skillfully weaves the story together, and it is just a delight.

The previous book was not one that I liked or even finished. Many of Krueger's books have won Edgar and Anthony awards. I was so disappointed in "Copper River", but "Thunder Bay" is a full redemption.

Until next time, may your reading be both pleasurable and profitable.